Quaking Grass

Quaking grass is a distinctive feature of meadows and grasslands, particularly those on chalky soils. It has an attractive panicle, the plant may be grown in gardens or dried as a decorative feature.

Uses

Its decorative panicle can be an eye catching addition to diverse, species rich grassland, or environmental schemes.

Persistence

A perennial species.

Strengths

A non aggressive species, it compliments a mixture with other non aggressive grasses and wild flowers.

Sowing Rate Advice

Rarely sown as a pure stand

30kg per acre / 75kg per ha.

Ideal Sowing Time

Quaking grass can be sown at any time of the year, but better establishment is achieved if sown in the Autumn.

Management

As a non aggressive species, it requires good grassland management after sowing. Heavy grazing or conversely allowing an established sward to stand and mature late into the season may create too much competition for this delicate species.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
The seed is a rounded, oval shape. It is dark in colour, varying from black to browny purple. It has a rough, pitted surface and a papery casing (glume). It is 3mm in size.

Flowering Plant
The leaves are flat, green and hairless, leading to a slender, blunt tip. The leaf margins are minutely rough. Ligules are very short and blunt (0.5 - 1.5cm), they are truncate in shape. This species has an eye catching, panicle that is pyramidal in shape. It has purplish, brown spikelets (approx. 5mm in width), which are heart shaped on hair like pedicels. It has a short, creeping, rootstock. Quaking grass can reach up to 75 cm in height.

Additional Info

Flowers from June - August Other common names are Totter Grass, Dithery Dock, Wigwams and Toddling Grass.

Works well with

Quaking grass can be included in mixtures with other non aggressive species, such as bentgrass, dogstail or sweet vernal grass, its lack of aggression also suits wild flower mixtures.

Buy Quaking Grass Straight

You can find Quaking Grass in the following mixtures

• Acid & Clay Soil Mixture
• Chalk & Limestone Soil Mixture